Stage 12: Bourg-de-Péage to Mende - 210 km

I'm gonna confess here: I didn't watch the entire stage. I read about the live finish on CyclingNews and just had to see the end. Then I read the fate of Renshaw, and knew the rest of the stage would be dull to watch.

So, Saxo ratched up the pace and were almost able to create a break. That would have been incredible. From what I saw of the stage, it looked like they were going 35-40mph for a long while. Ouch. And then the sprint finish.
All season long Renshaw had complained that he should be the lead sprinter. He had trouble proving his point during the Giro, especially as Cavs was mopping up on his own in other races. When the Tour came around, it seemed the pecking order had been re-established and Renshaw would be the leadout. After blowing at least one leadout (going too soon), they started to click and Cavs was tied with Petacchi and Chavanel with two stage wins. The Boy Racer desperately wanted to add another set of crossed samurai swords to his top tube, and Stage 11 would be the last good chance for quite some time (I think Stage 13 will go to a breakaway - possibly Chavanel or Flecha). Even with all the bodies in the final runup, the lead out looked strong. Then Renshaw went Mel Gibson.
A few headbutts to one Garmin rider, then almost checking Tyler nearly into the boards. I thought Rocket Robbie had switched teams mid-stage. In a post-stage interview he talked about how he is viewed as the cleanest sprinter, and he didn't know what people were complaining about. But he did it with waht I perceived as a smirk. With my foil hat on, part of me thinks he did it on purpose, hoping to get sent home and leaving Cavs without his leadout skills for the rest of the race. "Yeah, Cavs is good...When I'm there for him."
Oh, and Thor lost the Green to Petacchi.

But now we are on to Stage 12. Back to a hillier stage, and I think I heard the steepest climb of the tour. We go Cat3, Cat3, Srint, Cat2, Cat3, Sprint, Cat2. Thor has been known to go out and pacman the sprint points, even in the mountains, but I think Petacchi can follow him. Plus, Cervelo might still think Sastre can podium, and the next day might be easier for Thor. If it is true and the steepest stage takes place here, I could see Contador working with Andy a bit, then drill him to psychologically beat him.

The final peak is named after Jalabert. Bastille day didn't go to a Frenchman, will Chavanel try to strike out today? Possibly.Hondo? Pineau is only ahead by 2 points...I say Cungeo and Egoi strike out ahead and Egoi gets it.

All season long Renshaw had complained that he should be the lead sprinter. He had trouble proving his point during the Giro, especially as Cavs was mopping up on his own in other races. When the Tour came around, it seemed the pecking order had been re-established and Renshaw would be the leadout.

Renshaw wasn't racing the Giro this year, he was helping Cav at Tour of California at the time, and I don't remember him ever complaining about being lead-out for Cav. Are you thinking about Greipel, perhaps?

Will go to a breakaway, but the real action will be the Schleck-Contador fight to the top with 2nd tier GC hopefuls Menchov, S. Sanchez, Van de Broeck trying to fight it out for a podium shot. Contador will need to use this short steep climb to chip away some time, but will not get enough to take yellow, which suits him just fine. Gap will fall to just 20 seconds.

Renshaw wasn't racing the Giro this year, he was helping Cav at Tour of California at the time, and I don't remember him ever complaining about being lead-out for Cav. Are you thinking about Greipel, perhaps?

I think he must mean Greipel. Renshaw knows his place as leadout man. Greipel has wanted to be the number 1 sprinter for HTC last year as well.

Sometimes I ride my bike to nowhere, to see nothing, just so I can ride my bike.

interesting stage developing here. Saxo bank letting the head rule the heart..let the jersey go for the moment untill the pyrenees.

you cant say 3rd without turd.
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if every man in the world actually played hide the weenie with every woman he ever fantasized over both herpes and stupid would be more of an epidemic than they already are.

yep, he got some points for the green jersey ealier on, a good days work whatever happens

also Kloden [RS], Vino, Hesjedal in the break, if they want to keep the jersey saxo bank have ride, if they continue to chase they are using silly energy keeping a jersey for the next few days before the pyrenees, when they actually will need to work and keep it..and for good reason then, now not so much

you cant say 3rd without turd.
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if every man in the world actually played hide the weenie with every woman he ever fantasized over both herpes and stupid would be more of an epidemic than they already are.

I love it when Sean Kelly talks about his riding career. Just said he won a food mixer for his first international victory in Montreal. when he sat on a break and took the sprint, and "it's still going."

"I never meant to say that the Conservatives are generally stupid. I meant to say that stupid people are generally Conservative. I believe that is so obviously and universally admitted a principle that I hardly think any gentleman will deny it." John Stuart Mill, 1866

I figure some pure climbers deep down in the GC will be allowed a generous leash and may take it to the finish. Schleck and Contador will probably try to establish enough ground between them and the #3 spot.

No clue who will be gunning for that #3 spot, but I could see something happening in that department today.

IMHO Phil and Paul including the editors were irresponsible in their announcement of Tylers withdraw. The cut to Cav who gave the cut across the throat gesture and mentioned that that was his reaction on the announcement. Cav was just saying that he was not up to the intense pace the peloton was setting... (he was off the back)

I figure some pure climbers deep down in the GC will be allowed a generous leash and may take it to the finish. Schleck and Contador will probably try to establish enough ground between them and the #3 spot.

No clue who will be gunning for that #3 spot, but I could see something happening in that department today.

I wonder why. Sure he lost Hunter, but Cav lost Renshaw. Sad.

He was fairly miffed yesterday, Dean was not. Wonder if there are some internal issues at play. Whatever it is, whether fact or not, I wouldn't be surprised if it's written off to tweaking too hard his wrist fracture yesterday and reinjuring himself.